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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    Perspectives: Meet the Deacons

    Perspectives: “Meet the Deacons”

    Meet the Deacons: Rev. Becky Guthrie

    October 8, 2019 / By Rev. Becky Guthrie / 1 Comment

    I have two half-time appointments: First UMC New Hartford and St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica. I have a Masters’ in counseling with a specialty in grief and certified by the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC.org). I am available for my congregants and the community. Many pastors and community members in my area reach out for guidance and support. At First UMC, I am entrusted with …more

    Meet the Deacons: Rev. Vivian Ruth Waltz

    September 23, 2019 / By Rev. Vivian Ruth Waltz / 1 Comment

    I am Deacon Vivian Ruth Waltz, appointed by Bishop Webb to an extension ministry as fulltime Director of the SSJ Sister Karen Klimczak Center for Nonviolence in Buffalo. The mission of the Sister Karen Center is to eliminate violence in ourselves, in our society, and in our world. We work to create a nonviolent community in our thinking, our acting, and our relationships. Our primary training program is the Alternatives …more

    Meet the Deacons: Rev. Susan Ranous

    September 9, 2019 / By Rev. Susan Ranous

    I am Rev. Susan Ranous, a Deacon in Full Connection, called to a ministry of word, service, compassion, and justice, with a specialized ministry of stewardship, church, finance, and clergy tax. My call to ministry utilizes my education and experience as a Certified Public Accountant. I have served various churches as treasurer, bookkeeper, finance chair, and stewardship coordinator over the years. As the current Chair of the Conference Council on …more

    Meet the Deacons: Rev. Amy Beth Jones

    August 21, 2019 / By Rev. Amy Beth Jones

    I work for Family Promise, a national non-profit agency that serves families experiencing homelessness. At Family Promise, our mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. Family Promise is best known for the emergency shelter program that rotates through houses of worship the community, but we are so much more than an emergency shelter program. We provide prevention and stabilization services to families …more

    Meet the Deacons: Introduction

    August 5, 2019 / By Rev. Nancy Dibelius, Assistant Director of Vital Congregations for Spiritual Life / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) / 1 Comment

    Did you know that in the United Methodist Church, deacons are ordained? The Upper New York Conference is blessed to have many ordained deacons serving throughout our churches and communities. Over the weeks ahead, we will share stories of deacons who serve in the Upper NY Conference and the unique giftedness to which God has called them in the Meet the UNY Deacons blog series. The history of deacons becoming …more


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."